GAPS Stage 4

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What to know about gaps stage 4

Stage 4 introduces the second half of the Intro Diet where we add the focus of cleansing to our previous focus of rebuilding. It’s important not to move on to this stage until a significant amount of rebuilding work has happened in your body. Some indications that you are ready are staying full longer between meals, having no intestinal symptoms, and noticing positive effects in fast reproducing cells like skin, hair, and nails.

This stage begins the focus on cleansing. You may notice new symptoms or reactions in your body, due to the broadened focus. Listen to your body. Make sure you are taking things slow enough, or back up to a previous stage, if your body is not ready to jump into cleansing yet.

How long does stage 4 of the gaps diet last?

You should stay on this stage for a minimum of five days, and have no major intestinal symptoms. As with all the stages, you should be having daily bowel movements that are type of 3 - 4 on the Bristol Stool scale, and you need to be tolerating the full amount of daily freshly pressed juices.

As with all stages, the number of days you are on Stage 4 is dependent on your individual symptoms.

Food for gaps diet stage 4

In the original GAPS Book, Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride recommends nut flour at this stage. In recent conversations, she now believes that, for most people, it is a good idea to wait to introduce nuts until Full GAPS.

  • Olive and other cold pressed oils

  • Foods Fried or Baked

  • Fresh Pressed Juices

Recipes for GAPS Diet Stage 4